Spa Planning and Design

Lisa Dobloug

With my education and degree in Physical Education and Movement Studies  I came to the US and started working in the  Private School System in California, but soon was enticed to enter the Spa industry then at its infancy. 17 Years later after leadership and management positions at the Golden Door (4 years), The Greenhouse (5 years), Palm –Aire Spa (10 years) and Bonaventure Resort &Spa  I had learned a  deep knowledge and understanding of what a spa environment could be and should provide, especially within  the concept today called Destination Spa (fully coordinated programs for 1 or 2 weeks, integrating training , spa therapies and a nutritional program / Spa Cuisine).  I also learned to understand the complex and nuanced relationship between the hotel/resort operation and the spa operation.  As Executive Director of Palm-Aire Spa I had the opportunity to create a major destination resort spa of its kind, and which became rated  one of the best in the US.  This also established me as a leader in the industry and my expertise in developing spa therapies as well as fitness / training programs. This is also where I worked with Elizabeth Taylor and guided her through her successful weight loss and rejuvenation program.
With much publicity in VOGUE, SELF, Town& Country and international publications I was invited to Brasil to consult with former President Figueredo on his personal training and wellness program. Many professionals recognized my work, such as Dr. Gaylord Houser and Dr. Claus Martin of Germany, and I was invited to Dr. Martin’s Clinic in Bavaria to introduce my “spa and wellness programs” at his clinic, as well as in Tuscany,  Italy to plan “spa programs”  for Spa Deus and its Owner.  This made the establishing of my own center, The  Saga Club, Spa, Health and Fitness Center in Washington DC much easier, it was the first center in the US to combine health / fitness and spa therapies in a residential setting. This is also when I was approached by the White House and Mrs. Reagan’s staff to provide  personal and private  training. The Saga Club received a great recognition  both in  innovator in training concepts and facility design, and further established my expertise and experience in the spa industry.
During this time I also spent  extensive time in St. Malo, France to study thalssotherapies, their functions, applies therapies and benefits both in a structured medical environment as well as for relaxation and rejuvenation.   I started my consulting  company, Saga Fitness as I was approached by Marriott Corportion to guide their newly started spa resort developments. With Marriott’s design team we developed a whole new generation of hotel / resort spas , such as Marriott Desert  Springs Resort and Spa, Marriott’s Camelback Inn resort and Spa, Dearborn Inn  & Spa, as well as consulted for  the Canyon Ranch.  My company expanded its services and started its relationship with KSLW, and its lead architect, Larry Stricker. I  would plan the concept and together with Larry  we would develop and execute the plans for Ihilani Resort and Spa, the only spa in the US (beside’s Gurney’s Inn, NY) to have authentic thalassotherapies .  I also introduced aromatherapy  as a complete therapy department, using the first organic concept of its kind, Essensa from France.  I also developed specific Hawaiian concepts, using native plants, also  fresh  seaweed from the North Shore for some of the thalassotherapies. The native Wai’nae nutritional diet became part of our “destination spa programs”, along with mountain walks and hikes, seaside walks and seawater exercise concepts.  This is also when I introduced Thai massage as a real and authentic massage modality, the first of its kind in a spa setting, after we supported an 8 month educational stay in Thailand for one of the Ihilani therapists to become educated and trained in this difficult and extensive therapy.
After establishing Ihilani Spa  – including hiring, training all personnel and planning all concepts – as well as other hotel spas in the Pacific Rim  I was offered a position with newly opened Chiva-Som Health Resort  in Thailand where I spent nearly 2 years  to assist them in planning and administering  all therapy programs, including planning of curricula and developing SOPs for all areas. I also introduced water fitness training as a concept, and it became one of the most popular programs there.
From then our company went to on to plan and develop projects in Singapore, Australia and Japan. The most important client came then from Saudi Arabia, after a member of the Royal Family visited Ihilani Spa, and was very impressed with the spa facilities and the programs there. After a visit to Riyadh we were invited to plan and develop the complete renovation and expansion of Al Manahil Center, still one of the leading health, wellness and spa centers in the Middle East today. Other projects followed, such as the Dubai Pearl in Dubai,  a club and spa project in Oman, and other projects in Saudi Arabia. Our company now has a partner in the Kingdom, and we have   several projects in the works there.
My company is now  moving into new directions and setting new standards, a major destination spa (still Saga is the only spa consulting company with this expertise and knowledge) is being developed in Bali, other projects in the planning in Nigeria and Uganda.  Still the key to the company’s success is based upon its extensive operational experience operating spas that are professionally and financially successful. The demand for professionally educated and trained staff is another  key trademark for the company, and as such I have an extensive network of professionals, who have worked with me, and benefitted from my knowledge, education and training, ready to assist me in my endeavors.

Philippe Therene

My name is Philippe Therene and I am the founder of SpaEquip, a spa equipment distribution company based in the Napa Valley, California. I have worked on many spa projects with Lisa Dobloug over the years and  I consider her as one of the top Spa Consultants in the world. It is obvious she can work in many countries worldwide and adapt to a large variety of spa cultures. Her professionalism, attention to detail and knowledge of the Spa Industry are unparalleled. From the Ihilani project in Hawaii, to Manahil in Saudi Arabia or Meridian Bliss in Texas, all those successful projects are living proof of Lisa’s tremendous consulting talent. She has the unique ability to bring the owner’s vision to a successful completion  while at the same time always making sure the business remains profitable. And last but not least she is a also wonderful person with a big heart and a genuine interest in all the people she is interacting with. A tremendous asset to any organization!”